Kiss of Sunset

Kabanata 24

"No. It's just that, I don't understand why. Naguguluhan ako. Lalo lang dumarami ang katanungan sa utak ko. At mukhang mahihirapan akong makakuha ng sagot." I honestly said.

Muli itong tumingin sa akin. "Kailangan mo nang magpahinga." Malumanay na saad nito sa akin. "Babantayan ko pa rin kayong dalawa. Mauuna na ako." Sabi nito at naglakad na palabas ng kwarto.

I let out a heavy sigh. I rested my head right beside of her hand. Nakatingin lang ako sa kamay niyang hindi gumagalaw at pinaglaruan 'yon.

"Ang ganda mo pa rin kahit nakatulog ka," mahina akong natawa para mapigilan ang sarili kong maiyak. I lifted my head and stared at her pale face. "You're so brave, love. Sa ilang araw kitang hindi nakasama, hindi ko alam na ganito ang kalagayan mo. Naiiyak na ako." I faked a laugh.

"Kyrie, nakausap namin ang doctor niya." Bungad nila Rich na kapapasok lang. "May sakit sa puso si ate..." parang nabingi ako sa narinig ko.

"Rich, huwag muna ngayon." Pagpipigil sa kaniya ni Shai.

"Kailan, Shai? Kung kailan naghihingalo na ang kapatid ko?" Pabulyaw na sagot ni Rich. "Mas mabuting malaman na ni Kyrie kung anong nangyayari at posibleng mangyari sa kapatid ko."

Napatayo ako dahil hindi ko na alam kung ano pa ang pwede kong marinig. "Rich, please... not now." I begged. "H-hindi ko pa kaya. Hindi ko pa kayang marinig ang mga susunod mong sasabihin."

"Kyrie, if you don't face this now, then when?" Frustrated na sambit ni Rich.

"Maybe we'll give Kyrie a time to swallow everything. This is already too much for her. Hayaan muna natin siyang magpahinga. Kung kailan handa na siya, saka natin sabihin." Kalmadong sambit ni Elysha. "Besides, mas kailangan malaman ito ng parents ni Ms. Carson, right?"

"No! N-narinig niyo ba 'yung sinabi ng doctor kanina? She was afraid to tell everyone her condition! T-tapos ipapaalam natin kay Mr. Carson?"

"Rich, calm down." Mahinahon kong sabi para kumalma si Rich. "I think Tita Melanie deserves to know this. Kahit siya na lang muna ang makaalam. We need to keep Elionhir safe from her father."

Lahat sila ay tumango. Muli akong umupo at humarap sa natutulog na si Elionhir.

"Kyrie, bili muna kami ng makakain at maiinom. Maiwan ka muna namin." Paalam nila bago sila lumabas.

"Ang daya mo," I blurted. "Hindi ba't sinabi kong andito ako? Hindi naman kita hahayaan eh, alam mo 'yan. B-bakit mas pinili mong lumayo at indahin lahat ng sakit nang mag-isa? Mahal kita at sasamahan kita sa kaligayahan man o sa sakit. I remember what you've said to me, is this what you call escaping alone? You said you want to breathe, kaya mo ba 'yon sinabi d-dahil—" I paused to wipe my tears streaming. "A-alam mong dito ka dadalhin ng tadhana? K-kung gano'n, ayos sa akin na maramdaman lahat ng paghihirap mo. I'll never leave you alone, hmm? I'll stay no matter what, kahit ipagtabuyan mo pa ako."

I was like a child crying over to her doll that might be kept away from her. I am afraid at this point for I can lose my sanity. Tears filled my eyes down to my cheeks. I tightened my grip to her hand, scared to lose the reason of why I am living.

I know, only heaven knows what might happen for the next days but I am not losing any hope. Tears tumbled down before I can manage to wipe it. My chest tightened as if all of my emotions gathered in my chest. I tried to control my breathing but maintaining the normal breathing was hard for me.

I've shed tears more than I expected. But still, here I am, letting myself be vulnerable. I am not ashamed of what I am doing, for crying endlessly. I know, every cry I make, someone is listening, that I am heard.